"S. M. C," Olney, 111., writes: "Growing on my lawn are three American Hollies, one of which is fifteen feet high, also half a dozen Ilex verticillata; all of which bloom annually, the blossoms drop, and no berries are produced. I have also a large bush of Rosa rugosa that blooms well, followed by green tips, which soon drop, not one of which has ever come to maturity. Can you suggest the cause? I am much pleased with the " Hibiscus coccineus," which I got some years ago of Woolson & Co. It is hardy here, the thermometer last winter falling to 150 below zero. It begins to bloom the first of August and continues until frost."

[The American Holly varies very much in its sexual characteristics. Some are wholly male, and others wholly female. Isolated plants of these bear no berries. There are others which have hermaphrodite flowers, but even these seem to have the anthers more highly developed in some flowers, and the pistil more highly developed in others; the flowers can therefore be scarcely regarded as truly hermaphrodite. The perfection of these flowers varies in different plants, and hence there are some plants which never have more than a few berries scattered over them, while others are always profusely adorned with berries. Most purchasers take plants young, and hence it is chance whether they get a prolific plant or not.

The deciduous Holly, Ilex or Prinos verticillatus, so far as our observation goes, is always dioecious, and those who desire to have the benefit of its lovely berries should take care to get a staminate plant with the pistillate ones. - Ed. G. M.]